I don’t give 5 stars lightly. But this book absolutely deserves it. If you’re a fantasy fan who enjoys intrigue , twists and turns and just a good old fantasy quest I can’t recommend this book and its predecessor more.

Where the first book was fledgling steps and read like a campaign this book takes off tremendously giving us in depth insights to character motivation and plot with a seriously wicked cliff hanger.

I’m excited to have found this author and can’t wait to continue the quest in Eidyn.

The Bitter Crown has a lot to live up to. Its predecessor, The Lost War, set the stage for an epic fantasy saga with its high stakes, well-developed characters, and masterfully crafted world. Does Justin Lee Anderson deliver with this sequel? Buckle up, because I'm about to dive into the thick of it.

The book starts off with Anderson masterfully weaving together key events from The Lost War, refreshing your memory without resorting to dull exposition. It's a testament to his writing skill and a perfect way to ease readers back into the world of Eidyn.

We’re quickly whisked back to Dun Eidyn, where our heroes remain trapped within a city overrun by monstrous forces and the restless dead (a classic necromantic touch!). The pacing at the start evokes the emotional turmoil left hanging at the end of "The Lost War," plunging you back into the heart of the story. I found myself utterly hooked, from the start and had high hopes for the adventure I was about to go on.

It doesn’t take you long to realize that this book is going to be much darker compared to book one. It doesn’t take you long to realize that this book is going to be much darker compared to book one. While I won't spoil the storytelling by revealing specific plot points, let's just say trigger warnings might also include spoilers this time around. This story is simply too good to ruin before you embark on its gripping journey. Trust me, you won't regret diving headfirst into the darkness.

Anderson excels at crafting characters who are multidimensional and morally ambiguous. Each individual, regardless of their alignment, has motivations and perspectives that resonate on a human level. This allows readers to connect with them, even if their actions are questionable or even reprehensible.

The way Anderson tackles morality is indeed masterful. He avoids the typical black-and-white portrayal of good and evil, instead opting for a nuanced exploration of the gray areas. He forces readers to question their own values and consider the complex factors that influence moral decisions. This ambiguity creates a deeply engaging narrative where lines blur, judgments are clouded, and characters wrestle with their own conscience.

The resulting tension and conflicting ideologies and incomplete information lead to friction and division. The simmering anger, rage, and desire for revenge threaten to consume them all. This sense of impending doom adds another layer of intensity to the already gripping story.

I especially appreciate how he highlights the characters' internal struggles. They are not simply pawns in a larger game; they are individuals grappling with their own vulnerabilities and grappling with the weight of their choices.

Anderson's worldbuilding deserves special mention. While slightly slower than in "The Lost War," it's crucial for establishing the political intrigue and sets the stage for the next book. Anderson delivers a compelling sequel, even if the final twist isn't quite as shocking as the first book's. It still left me eager to discuss it with Anderson directly and I’m impatiently awaiting the third installment. He skillfully builds upon the foundation laid in book one, creating a captivating narrative that leaves readers wanting more.

The potential for this series to become a modern classic is undeniable. Anderson's masterful worldbuilding, captivating characters, and thrilling plot twists have already captured the hearts of countless readers. If he can maintain this momentum and deliver a satisfying conclusion in the following installments, there's no doubt this series will be etched in fantasy history. I can see it becoming a staple in conversations about modern fantasy greats for years to come.

Can I gush about how much I love this series? So good. The Bitter Crown is book two in the Eidyn Saga. I recently learned that the author plans four books. Huzzah! Anyway, it starts with a clever prologue that sums up the first book, so you can refresh your memory or jump right in here. However, the first book was fantastic, so I would suggest not missing that one.

The story picks up where the first book left off. There’s immediate action as our heroes try to escape a city occupied by the reanimated dead. You launch right back into the story. There’s such a sense of urgency- from the beginning I didn’t want to put it down. The fate of the kingdom is at stake. It’s fast paced and I stayed up way too late reading because I didn’t want to stop.

Of course I love these characters. They’re compelling and real and things happen that change them. And the plot- you think you know how something is going to go but nooooo. The story surprises you. I can’t wait for book three! I highly recommend this book and its predecessor, The Lost War. It comes out December 5. Thank you to Orbit and Netgalley for the eARC.

The second installment in the Eidyn saga, The Bitter Crown takes its readers on a wild ride. We see the characters we have come to love, make critical choices that end in devastating results. Still ravaged from the last war, Eidyn is in the hands of our hero’s who work to try to bring truth and stability back, even if they disagree on how to do it.

I enjoyed the story and characters but was really annoyed at the ending. Impatiently waiting on book 3.

I always hate giving bad reviews when I get a book for free from Net galley but here we are. After absolutely loving the first book I was very excited to read the sequel. It took me forever to get into this one and then it started catching my interest and then got boring again to me. I can’t really pinpoint anything exactly that made me not like this book but something isn’t clicking for me and I won’t be continuing with the series I think.

So this author just gets better and better if you read book one this book is 10 times better than book two the action is amped up the World building is stronger and the twists just keep on coming can't wait for the third book

High stakes and while some questions from the first book are resolved, new ones are introduced. I'm eager to keep reading the series.

This continues to be an epic story with complicated social aspects. Aranok has returned with the exiled king and is on the path to restoring him. There is just a problem or two in his way. Firstly there is a magical plague effecting thousands of the population. Secondly everyone believes the king who sits the throne is the right one. Thirdly, there is just a little problem with the neighbors who everyone thinks they are at war with. The saga continues with horrific encounters, mental breakdowns, the challenges of deciding who is actual right or wrong in these situations. It's a brilliantly woven story with intriguing characters and a plot that keeps you moving along happily. I highly recommend this novel and eagerly await the next. Thanks to netgalley for the ability to read and review this story.

I am completely caught in author Justin Lee Andreson's web with this series. The character are gritty and fully fleshed. The world building is amazing and frankly I just honestly enjoyed reading it. I'm already ordering a finished hard copy. Outstanding work.

This is an excellent continuation of what is shaping up to be a fantastic series! Loved every moment of it!

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Orbit for an advanced copy of the second book in this masterful fantasy series featuring characters and situations that are far different than one usually finds in other books in the genre.

Fantasy books, especially big sprawling adventure quests with world ending consequences have a propensity for sameness. First book, we meet. Second book things get going, kind of drags with a lot of story things, that were missed in the first book. There is a lot of walking, talking, searching, learning, maybe jesting, maybe super serious moments. Characters might change, become heroes or villains, but one can see where things are going to go. Very few authors are brave enough to upend everything, to change the whole idea of the story, strip the very identity of the characters away, and make the consequences for their actions real, visceral and punishing for themselves and everyone around. Justin Lee Anderson is brave enought, and even better skillful enough to do this to take what readers think is going to happen, stab it dead, burn what remains and bury the ashes at the crossroads. And craft an excellent adventure that literally could go anywhere. The Bitter Crown is the second book in the Eidyn series, where the adventure has just gotten darker, stranger, and far more dangerous than the characters even suspect.

The first book ended in a series of revelations for the characters that turned everything they knew and thought inside out. Enemies were revealed, lies detected everywhere around them, and Aranok a warrior magician and his allies were suddenly far more alone than they had thought. And with this lost truth, uncertainty starts to grow among the allies. Power centers are changing, pasts are returning to haunt certain characters. A plague called the Blackened still is killing, people, the Dead are rising and even worse demon creatures are starting to attack the towns, cutting the land and people off, spreading more distrust, and even worse disunion. Rash decisions are making things worse as things go from plain awful, to stupendously worse and the allies who have suddenly found themselves might be destroying whatever chance they have for victory.

The recap for the book is kept vague because the story really needs to be read, and I don't want to ruin anything. The first book had me as a good solid adventure novel, with an interesting plot, that suddenly went from a pleasant read to full tilt driving on the Autobahn. How Anderson keeps track of his story, characters and revelations I have no idea. Anderson's writing room must have a lot of red string tying everything together. The characters are all unique, and very diverse in ways that seem natural. Even the most minor of characters have almost a fully realized life before they appear in the book, and hopefully go on to live a long life after. Don't get used to characters is the biggest warning I will give. People make mistakes, and a lot of people suffer for these mistakes. Even the evil people have motivations that make sense, one might not like what is happening, but one could go, from your point of view this makes sense. The world is well developed with a history that Anderson slowly reveals, and uses to explain this place, this character, even ruins. The magic system is also intriguing and again, well explained and used to move the story, not get over plot problems.

A fantasy series that has a lot going on, but a real steady hand guiding it. I really can't wait to see where this goes, as there were many moments I had to admit, umm that's going to leave a mark. Buying both books would be a great gift for the holidays as a reader won't make the New Year without reading both of them and wanting more. Recommended for fantasy fans who want more, and role players looking for ideas on building worlds, magic, and messing with your characters.

This book was incredible, from it's storytelling to its complex characters. I fell head over heels in love with Justin's writing and I could not put this book down. It had its grip on me from start to finish.

I cannot wait to read more because now that I'm fully immersed in this world, I need more of it as soon as possible. It definitely ends in a spot where I feel like there is so much more that needs to be uncovered, so I cannot wait for the next book!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Aranok and his allies are once again at the heart of an impossible journey to save their realm. This book surprised me in the 3rd act with some great twists. A great follow up to the first novel!

At first this book seems a bit predictable, but stick with it, it gets much more interesting. All the main characters are so well developed and in such great conflict with one another, despite all being on the same side. You don't really encounter any actual enemies throughout the whole book, but it's a fascinating look at a team coming apart at the seams and yet somehow holding together. Each character is at times heroic and inspiring, and also reckless, stubborn, and unreasonable. They are all at least somewhat relatable though. The friction between the characters is the main story. It does end at what feels like the middle, so it's a good thing another book is underway!

Justin Lee Anderson, thanks for 2 reasons: the opportunity to read the 2nd book for an honest review and the 2nd book itself!

Top quality in story, characters, plot and continuation of his eiydn saga that really took me by surprise.

If you enjoyed the 1st this book is no exception. The twists aren't the ones you can see coming a mile away. The magic system is interesting if not unique.

I'll read all Justin's books you put in front of me.